Last month my NUM was away for a few weeks. I was informed by the NUM before she went on leave that I would be the Acting NUM during her absence and I was even marked on the roster as the Acting NUM. I was then informed by my NUM’s line manager that due to the number of patients during this period I would not be able to receive higher grade duties. Is this correct?
No. Clause 24 of the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award outlines the criteria which must be met for an individual to receive payment for higher grade duties. In short, it provides that an employee who is called upon to relieve, and does relieve, an employee in a higher classification for a continuous period of at least five working days, shall be entitled to receive the minimum payment for that higher classification. There is no reference in that criteria to patient numbers or patient acuity and therefore you are eligible for the higher-grade duties’ payment.
You should raise this with management and direct their attention to clause 24. If your higher-grade duties are not properly paid, contact the Association for assistance.